Banc of America Securities has hired an additional European economist as part of its expansion plans. Holger Schmieding joins the firm from his own independent economics shop, which he says he recently sold. Prior to running his own show, Schmieding worked at Merrill Lynch. Schmieding will work with Lorenzo Codogno, co-head of European economics in London. The duo reports to Mickey Levy, New York-based head of global economics.